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Largest Sikh Matrimonial Network |  |
 A Indian marriage is a well organized display of traditions, customs and celebration with a strong sense of family approval and blessings for the bride and groom and also for the newly combined families of Bride and Groom . According to Sikh Religion, marriage is an Union of two souls for lifetime. Sikhs regard marriage as a sacred bond of mutual dependence between a man and a woman. Based on a concept depicted in Lavaan (A wedding song, sung to celebrate a holy union between the human soul and God), the Sikh marriage is not merely a physical and legal contract but is a sacrament (Religious Ceremony), a holy union between two souls. The fourth Guru, Guru Ramdas, originally composed Lavan, the wedding song, to celebrate a holy union between the human soul (Atma) and God (Parmatma). Sikhs usually consider the horoscope for deciding an auspicious day or date for the wedding. Before the actual wedding day arrives there are many pre-wedding rituals to prepare the bride and groom for the special day. The Sikh Wedding Ceremony also known as ANAND KARAJ which means a happy blissful union, usually takes place before noon, preferably in the morning at the Sikh temple also known as "Gurudwara". The Anand Karaj ceremony can be performed in any Gurdwara or home where Sri Guru Granth Sahib, the holy guide of the Sikhs, has been respectfully installed. Sikh marriages are usually arranged by parents, or subject to their consent, and, as for other religions in India, are seen as the joining of two families. |
Wedding Rituals : |
Engagement : An engagement ceremony called the 'kurmai' is usually performed one week before the wedding. It is usually conducted in the Gurdwara or at the home of the groom. The two families exchange gifts to conform the engagement. It involves Ardas (the common Sikh prayer), Kirtan (hymns from Sri Guru Granth Sahib) and langar (common meal) if performed in the Gurdwara. During the engagement ceremony a Tilak is applied on the forehead of the groom by the brides family. The brides father presents a gold bangle, or Kara to the groom with eleven gold coins attached. They are strung to a black thread and put around the brides neck after the wedding. After the engagement is official, female relatives of the groom visit the bride and present her with the chunni or wedding veil.
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| Mehndi Ceremony :
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| Wedding Ceremony : The sisters of the groom drape his turban with sehra, a shiny and elegant mantilla. The groom mounts a mare, or ghodi, which is also as much embellished as the groom himself. A sarbala, generally a nephew of the groom, accompanies him throughout the ceremony. The women sing the traditional wedding songs, and the groom on his mare leaves for the wedding venue with the baraat following him. The actual wedding ceremony takes place at a Gurudwara. The groom with his friends and relatives arrives at the Gurudwara in a procession called "BARAAT" and is welcomed by the brides family. The bridegroom usually wears a red or pink turban and has a scarf around his neck and the bride wears a red or pink colour suit or saree. The guests are also dressed tradionally. The ceremony starts with a kirtan (a simple ceremony and hymns from Sri Guru Granth Sahib). |
| Lavaan Phere : Lavaan Phere is the actual wedding ceremony, after which the girl and the boy are considered 'married' to each other. Readings from the Guru Granth Sahib are an important part of the wedding. The couple and their parents stand while prayers are said asking the God's blessing on the marriage. The bride and the groom circle the Holy Guru Granth Sahib four times, the groom leading the bride. Relatives and friends garland the newly wedded couple and the marriage ceremony concludes with a grand feast. The ceremony is deemed accomplished after the ardaas and the serving of 'kada prashaad'. |
Post-wedding rituals : Doli symbolizes the send-off ceremony of the bride. Prior to leaving for her new home, she performs the traditions of cooking and serving rice to her family members, and flinging back raw rice at her family members while stepping out of the threshold of her home.The family and friends of the bride gives her blessings and wish her luck for her new life. The groom's mother welcomes her daughter-in-law as she enters her new home for the first time after the wedding. |
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The Mehndi Ceremony is an important ritual and usually takes place one or two days before the actual wedding. The reddish brown color of Mehndi - which stands for the prosperity that a bride is expected to bring to her new family - is considered most auspicious for all wedding-related ceremonies. On this day first vatna a scented powder consisting of barley flour, turmeric and mustard oil is applied on the body of the bride and the groom which is followed by a ritual bath. Then the hands and feets of the girls are decorated with mehndi. The female relatives and friends of the bride also apply mehndi and dance and sing to make the event very colourful. The event gives a festive touch to the celebration. 
